Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s new Sri Lankan casino and hotel venture, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, will open its doors on Saturday 2 August, the company and its local partner John Keells Holdings PLC have announced.
The property, located within John Keels’ larger Cinnamon Life complex, will feature a world-class casino, luxury Nüwa hotel and a premium shopping mall.
Melco first revealed its Sri Lankan casino plans after being issued a 20-year license in April 2024, with the company having spent around US$125 million according to previously released information.
Cinnamon Life itself represents a US$1.2 billion investment by John Keels, featuring a total of 800 hotel rooms and suites. Of these, 687 rooms will come under the Cinnamon Life hotel brand with Melco operating 113 “ultra-luxury” rooms under Nüwa. The property will also boast MICE space, a collection of signature dining experiences involving internationally acclaimed chefs, and immersive entertainment spaces for international performances and cultural showcases, the companies explained.
“The opening of the casino and Nüwa hotel operated by Melco marks the realization of a key pillar of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, bringing to fruition the integrated development that was envisioned over a decade ago,” said John Keells Group Chairperson, Krishan Balendra.
“This milestone sets a new benchmark in South Asia for world-class lifestyle, entertainment and retail offerings. With Melco’s globally recognized expertise and exceptional standards, we believe this unique addition will significantly enhance Colombo’s tourism appeal, drive foreign exchange earnings and create meaningful employment opportunities.
“City of Dreams Sri Lanka stands as a bold testament to our confidence in Sri Lanka’s future and our continued commitment to nation-building through transformative investments.”
Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho added, “We are thrilled to be part of this landmark development in Sri Lanka and to be in partnership with John Keells. We believe Sri Lanka has immense potential and this opportunity complements our existing portfolio of properties.
“City of Dreams Sri Lanka is expected to serve as a catalyst for stimulating tourism demand and promoting economic growth in Sri Lanka, drawing inspiration from the successful examples set by similar integrated resorts in other jurisdictions.”
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